by Christian Bergner Assoc. AIA
Event: An Evening with Studio Daniel Libeskind; 2008 President’s Award Recipient
Location: Center for Architecture, 10.29.08
Speakers: James McCullar, FAIA — 2008 AIANY President; Rick Bell, FAIA — AIANY Executive Director; Nina Libeskind & Daniel Libeskind, AIA — Studio Daniel Libeskind, President’s Award Winner 2008
Organizers: Center for Architecture
Sponsors: Kramer Levin
WTC site plan as of 01.29.08.
Image by Foster + Partners, courtesy of Silverstein Properties
Studio Daniel Libeskind received this year’s AIANY President’s Award for its significant contributions to the design of major international cultural buildings and urban projects. With this year’s Architecture Week theme in mind, “Architecture and Design: How to Create Sustainable Cities,” Nina and Daniel Libeskind, AIA, shared their thoughts on the development and importance of design across the globe.
With designs intended to expand the horizons of architecture and urbanism, the Libeskinds believe buildings and urban projects are crafted with human energy to speak to the larger cultural community. The public will see the symbolism of the WTC site once it is complete, he claimed. He regards the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan, and his role in it, as a grand success with its global vision.
In general, the clients the firm chooses to work with share their goals; therefore, Nina, who is chief operating officer and partner, prefers working with clients in democratic states. The office itself is “full of passionate designers and a fun place to work.” Married and working together, the Libeskinds “are like a yin and yang — we always disagree with each other, but this is essential to develop new inspirations and push boundaries,” they said.
Christian Bergner, Assoc. AIA, works at Caples Jefferson Architects, having previously worked with Studio Daniel Libeskind. He studied architecture in Oxford (UK), BA (Hons), was a Project Manager for national and international projects, the Chairman for the Oxford Architecture Society, and Executive Member of the National Architecture Society ARCHAOS. Bergner is also a member of the AIANY Emerging NY Architects (ENYA) Committee and is pursuing LEED accreditation.